On politics in the Golden State

Abel Maldonado faces Stephen Colbert, talks Prop. 14

April 30, 2010 | 8:23
am

Two days after being sworn in as California's new lieutenant governor, Abel Maldonado went to New York for an appearance on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

Maldonado was there to promote Proposition 14, the June ballot measure he pushed for as state senator that would change California's primary election system. In Colbert's words, the measure would turn the state's elections into "basically an electoral tea party where you can just vote-hump the candidate of your choice."

In other words, instead of the top vote-getter from each party advancing to a November runoff, the top vote-getters, regardless of party, would face off in November.

Barely able to control his giddiness during the taping, Maldonado said time and time again that he was pushing the measure because he wanted to "help people."

Colbert, who has a reputation for dismantling politicians with biting sarcasm, was gentle with Maldonado, asking him "why on Earth would anyone want to run for office in California anyway?"

Referencing the state's massive budget deficit and history of issuing IOUs to vendors, he asked, "Aren't they paying you people in avocados?"